Cylinder 8 misfire/overheating common problem?

[Chayton]

Hey guys ive been doing some research and if im not mistaken, apparently its common for cylinder #8(and 7) to develop problems, due to improper cooling? and to prevent it you do the "head cooling mod"?

What exactly is the typical problem that occurs, and how much(parts wise) does it cost to repair? and what needs to be repaired/replaced? I heard that apparently it costs around $500 to repair?
just curious, learning more and more about these cars every day.. Tried the search function but did not yield the answers im looking for. Thanks guys!

[guspech750]

You can contact MuscleMerc or Zack and see if they are still making the cooling mods.

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/marauder-tech/117121-my-5-8-cooling-mod.html


Sent from my iPhone

4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[SC Cheesehead]

Hey guys ive been doing some research and if im not mistaken, apparently its common for cylinder #8(and 7) to develop problems, due to improper cooling? and to prevent it you do the "head cooling mod"?

What exactly is the typical problem that occurs, and how much(parts wise) does it cost to repair? and what needs to be repaired/replaced? I heard that apparently it costs around $500 to repair?
just curious, learning more and more about these cars every day.. Tried the search function but did not yield the answers im looking for. Thanks guys!

Problem can be either valve-related, or worse case, could be a piston or cylinder issue caused by the ovreheating. If the former, the head has to be pulled, valve replaced, or head replaced. If the latter, engine needs to be pulled.

Are you looking at a car with this issue? If so, may want to look elsewhere unless the price is right.

[a_d_a_m]

I'm in the middle of fixing this very problem...

My car showed no signs of any problems until the day the valve seat finally failed. It was running low-mid 14s at the track only a month or two earlier. When it lets go, the car will start to develop a very rich smell - a combination of oil and gas. This means your valve seat has loosened and your rocker/lifter is now probably disconnected (mine was found laying in the cylinder head, uninjured and reuseable).

A compression/leakdown will confirm this. I had air coming out of the left side tailpipe on the leakdown test and zero compression on cylinder #8.

Pictures of disassembly.
http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82117

My car is currently in the shop.
I will probably be at $600 once it's all said and done - and that's doing all of the work myself BESIDES replacing the valve seats.

[88LTDCV351]

Mine was cylinder 7 I believe. It cost me about $4,000 to replace the head.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67716&page=2

[DOOM]

Mine was cylinder 7 I believe. It cost me about 4,000 to replace the head.

What??? :eek:

[a_d_a_m]

Mine was cylinder 7 I believe. It cost me about $4,000 to replace the head.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67716&page=2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

You can buy a complete reman for around $4000!

[MOTOWN]

Mine was cylinder 7 I believe. It cost me about $4,000 to replace the head.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67716&page=2

Hot Dayuuum! did that head come with a shortblock and an extra head:confused:

[88LTDCV351]

That is including the labor at stealership rates.

[DOOM]

Mine was cylinder 7 I believe. It cost me about $4,000 to replace the head.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67716&page=2


That is including the labor at stealership rates.

That's still way too high!!!

[a_d_a_m]

Assuming $800 in parts (high estimate) that works out to $3200 leftover in labor? Isn't dealer labor around $100/hr? So that'd work out to 32hrs on the job.

Woof.

[88LTDCV351]

They were going to use the old head but reconditioned, but they said that Ford recommended against that. So the new head was the new upgraded head.

There were other parts listed on the invoice. Like replaced gaskets and other wear components while they were in there. I'll dig out the invoice and let you know.

[dohc324ci]

Dealer quoted me $4200 for a factory reman long block plus 2k to install back in 2009 and a 100k warranty.

[Chayton]

wow!!!:eek: thanks for all the information guys really helpful. Yeah I did see a car with this problem. Would only consider it if like you said the price was right. thanks!

[88LTDCV351]

Here is what I see on my invoice:

Cylinder Head Assembly
Tensioner - Timing Belt
Tensioner - Timing Belt
Chain - Timing
Guide
Gasket
Gasket
Gasket
Gasket - Valve Rocker Arm Cove
Gasket - Valve Rocker Arm Cove
Gasket
2 Gasket - Intake Manifold
Gasket - Cylinder Head
10 Bolt - Hex Head
Filter Asy - Oil
7 5W20 Oil
2 Gasket
2 Anti - Freeze
Sealant - Silicone
Tube - oil Level Indicator
3 Cleaner, Non-Clor.Brk.
6 Gasket - Spark Plug Aperture
2 Gasket - Spark Plug Aperture
SLB Wire Asy
2 Seal
Removed Cylinder Head, installed new head and gasket, cleaned all mating surfaces, reassembled motor, filled fluids. Tested. Road Test Pass.